Talking Points

Protect Kids: Reject the BCRA

The Senate must reject this legislation which does not protect children's Medicaid coverage and benefits. The Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) is a bad bill for kids.

If enacted, the BCRA would end Medicaid as an entitlement to coverage and treatment for over 30 million children, who would be subject to per capita caps and potential limits on their health care.

The BCRA significantly reduces Medicaid spending on kids. A recent analysis by Avalere Health found the per capita caps in the House-passed American Health Care Act (AHCA), on which the Senate legislation is based, would cut children’s Medicaid funding by at least $43 billion over 10 years. Compared to the AHCA, the Senate BCRA calls for even steeper cuts to the Medicaid program by restricting Medicaid’s funding to a slower growth rate in the later years, resulting in a more than 30 percent cut for children in 2036.

Children could lose vital coverage and benefits they count on as a result. Faced with reductions in total federal spending for Medicaid — and specifically for children — states will be forced to choose between rationing care for children, creating barriers for accessing needed services, substantially increasing their own spending to maintain current services or instituting cuts to further manage program costs.

Decreased federal Medicaid spending on children under a cap could incentivize states to narrow eligibility and reduce services. States could consider lowering Medicaid provider rates as well, which could lead to decreased provider participation and access issues for children needing care.

Congress should not consider any legislation undermining health care for tens of millions of children.

Children's hospitals across the country call on the Senate to reject the BCRA.